Ghana is leading a push at the United Nations General Assembly to formally recognise the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity” and to advance calls for reparations.
The proposed resolution, backed by the African Union, urges member states to consider issuing formal apologies and contributing to a reparations fund aimed at addressing the legacy of slavery.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa described slavery as “the most horrendous crime in the history of mankind,” stressing that the initiative is about justice rather than financial gain.
“We are demanding compensation — not for African leaders, but for the victims,” Ablakwa said, adding that any reparations should support educational initiatives, skills training and long-term development programmes.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12 to 15 million Africans were forcibly taken to the Americas, with millions dying during the transatlantic journey under brutal conditions.
The resolution also calls for the return of cultural artefacts taken during the colonial era, which Ghana says are central to the continent’s heritage and identity.
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama described the proposal as “historic” and a safeguard against historical amnesia.
However, the initiative is expected to face resistance from some Western countries, including the United Kingdom, which have consistently rejected calls for reparations, arguing that present-day institutions cannot be held responsible for historical injustices.
Supporters say the resolution represents a step toward acknowledgment, accountability and long-term healing.